Their Just Desserts

The Cookie Crumbles #2

by Tracy Badua, Imani Parks (Narrator), Ferdelle Capistrano (Narrator)

Perfect for fans of The Great British Baking Show and Clue, this enchanting and rollicking follow-up to The Cookie Crumbles follows two best friends caught up in a twisty mystery when jewels go missing at a high-stakes baking competition.

Baker extraordinaire Laila Thomas and budding journalist Lucy Flores are living it up at the top of the junior high food chain as eighth graders. But between busy schedules and kinda-boyfriends, these two best friends haven’t gotten to hang out as much. So, when Jaden, an ex-competition rival, begs the duo to step back into the world of cooking competitions and crime—the answer is yes.

Jaden is His father is accused of stealing prized jewels on the set of an amateur kids’ holiday baking show. The plan is for Laila to smash the competition while Lucy investigates behind the scenes—but their half-baked plan gets turned totally upside down when Lucy ends up in front of the cameras instead.

As the investigation and competition heat up, Lucy and Laila’s bond is put to the ultimate test. Can they solve this bakeoff mystery, or will they—and their friendship—crack under pressure?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published May 13, 2025

About the author

Tracy Badua is an award-winning Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. By day, she is an attorney who works in national housing policy, and by night, she squeezes in writing, family time, and bites of her secret candy stash. She lives in San Diego, California.

Reviews

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

For middle grade readers, this book is amazing. For middle aged readers (or just me, a middle aged reader), this book is fine. I will be honest a lot of the same plot beats from the previous book happen in this one too. Despite being bffs, the girlies do be constantly fighting. And I know to some degree that’s what being 13 is like but at 33 I just want these girls to communicate.

I liked that this was much more like Bake Off though, right down to the Paul Hollywood knock off Jack “Green Eyes” Miami, that one got me, I actually laughed. And I thought the episode transcripts and confessionals added a little something extra. Those parts were pretty funny because I feel like Laila and Lucy are so self serious in their respective chapters and then you cut to the episode transcripts and they’re just goofy 13 year old girls. Good stuff.

Aside from that, it was frustrating to clock the culprit immediately and then have Lucy and Laila get mad at each other on and off and wildly add people to their suspect list for 200 pages straight. I’m sure this is perfect for younger readers, however if there are going to be more books in the series this is where I’m getting off.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really love this series. The perfect mix for anyone who loves baking and mysteries! The characters are truly great, yet not perfect. They both have their flaws and it makes them even more interesting. I'm really amazed by how they always get in trouble (and out of it!). I really liked the mystery in this one too. I really didn't really see the whole thing coming. And I liked that Laila was the host, while Lucy was the one baking this time. This is such a fun and good series. I hope there's more books coming!

[Ekene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine my surprise that there was a sequel to this book. If you were a massive Nancy Drew fan like me growing up, you’ll definitely love this

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After solving an attempted murder while involved in a bake off in The Cookie Crumbles, Laial and Lucy are back. Laila has been interviewed by magazines, Good Morning America, and has made quite a name for herself. Her mother has a new job, though, and is working a lot, and Laila finds that she is bored and lonely. Lucy is still trying to get into journalism. When one of the other contestants from the Sunderland Academy Golden Cookie competition, Jaden, is involved with his dads in the Holly Jolly Baking Show, his Papa Carl is fired for stealing a diamond out of an antique mirror. Pulling some strings, Laila ends up co-hosting the show with Jaden, and Lucy (who doesn't cook all that much) gets pulled in as a contestant! She'd rather focus on her internship with podcaster Ariella Wilburn, but wants to help her friends. When the show turns out to be "less bake off, more Real Housewives", there is a lot of drama that surfaces in addition to the criminal charges filed against Jaden's father. Will Laila and Lucy be able to use their investigative (and baking!) skills to help the situation?

Like Delaney's 2021 Alice Fleck's Recipe for Disaster, this is a good combination of mystery and cooking, and reminds me a lot of cozy mysteries for adults, like Davidson's Goldy Bear books. This is apparently a huge genre for adults (there's a whole list of tea room mysteries for adults on Goodreads!), so it's not surprising that this combination has made its way into middle grade. The lure of celebrity culture will draw in young readers who are fans of The Great British Bake Off, and fans of Dow and Badua will also be glad to see this story continued. My students would rather have killer ghost mysteries, or straight up murder mysteries, so I will have to debate.

https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last summer, best friends Lucy and Laila were unexpectedly pivotal in the solving of a crime during a high profile baking contest. Since then, however, the girls’ friendship has been challenged by both time and energy as the two pursue their individual dreams. The winter holidays are nearly upon them, and Laila’s friend Jaden has shocking news: he believes that his Papa has been framed for theft. Finding themselves in the middle of a crime scene once again, Lucy and Laila agree to help uncover the identity of the real thief amidst the chaos and uncertainty of yet another baking adventure. This novel begins a few months after the first story ends and features the two protagonists from the initial installment. Readers would benefit from understanding the first story before experiencing this one, especially as only select details from the previous mystery are included in this narrative. Told in alternating points of view between Lucy and Laila as well as through a blend of journal entries and active storytelling, the narrative offers readers insight into each character’s motivations and emotions as the story unfolds. Brief chapters and quick pacing keep readers engaged in the story, and the mystery element of the novel is compelling as each detail comes to light. Though this book is a mystery on its face, the plot incorporates substantial emotional turbulence that is representative of the experiences faced by many middle grade readers. Fans of tales involving friendship, problem-solving, baking, and journalism will find this cozy mystery series to be fun and engaging. This sequel to The Cookie Crumbles is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In THEIR JUST DESSERTS Laila & Lucy put their mystery solving skills to the test again. After their friend Jaden’s dad is falsely accused of stealing diamonds from the set of a holiday baking show, the duo joins the Holly Jolly Baking Show as a host and a contestant to find the true culprit. Told from alternating points of view, food, friendship, and festive reality TV collide in this follow-up to THE COOKIE CRUMBLES as Laila and Lucy put their investigation skills and their baking talent to the test.

The reality show provides a perfect backdrop for continuing the cooking competition theme from the first book while providing a new challenge for Laila and Lucy and a fresh cast of characters for them to interact with. In addition to the typical middle school friendship ups and downs, some unique challenges arising from the notoriety Laila and Lucy achieved when solving their first crime have put a strain on their friendship and this is reflected in how they approach this new situation. The standard reality show confessional components and social media tie ins add depth to the story, which unfolds with lots of twists and turns and some tasty confections. Fans of baking and cozy mysteries will gobble this one up.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laila and Lucy are back for another investigation! This time, they are going undercover on a kids' holiday baking show to help their friend Jaden clear his dad's name after he was falsely accused of stealing jewels. Laila is going to be Jaden's co-host, while Lucy is supposed to be her assistant. However, once they get there, they realize that they are both going to be in roles they are not comfortable with. On top of everything else, their friendship hasn't been as strong since Lucy has been working with famous journalist Ariella.

This was another cute installment in this series! We still have the same fun protagonists, and the author did such a good job having them work through their problems healthily. Just like the last one, I did find the whodunnit obvious, but again, I am an adult, and kids might not see it coming as much. I look forward to seeing what adventures await Laila and Lucy next!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.

I really loved The Cookie Crumbles and was so excited to see Lucy and Laila getting to continue their whodunit adventures in Their Just Desserts. This is such a fun book, and I really love how much it feels like a book for middle schoolers, from the way changes in friendship feel so BIG to the ways they’re just starting to think about what the future holds for them. I loved the new cast of characters, as well as seeing familiar faces and getting to see them all growing and changing. The whole premise of the Holly Jolly Baking Show was so over the top, especially with the reality tv elements, but I think that just added to the fun of reading the book. I really enjoyed this, and really hope we’ll have more books starring Lucy and Laila!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laila and Lucy are at it again: Baking and Investigating. This time they have to prove that their friend/rival Jaden’s dad didn’t steal some fancy jewels on the set of a kids’ holiday baking show. Everything gets turned upside down and their bond is tested. Can they stay in the baking competition, solve the mystery, and save their friendship?

This middle grades who dunnit is a fun mash-up of mysteries and baking shows, not to mention a love note to friendships changing as kids grow up. Yes, there were giant plot holes in the story, and I found myself constantly questioning why a kids baking competition was being filmed live. There were lots of references to the previous book, and while it didn’t impact the plot, it definitely played into relationships and character development. All that said, kids who love baking and mysteries will still likely enjoy it.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I liked about the book.

1) Clever title
2) Multicultural characters and their personas prominently displayed on the cover
3) Admission at bottom of cover that it's a sequel

Things I didn't like about the book.

1) Didn't realize just 'how' much the reader would have to read the prequel to get full flavor of the characters and the backstory. Admittedly, hadn't read the prequel but having read series books in the past thought would be ok. I was lost more than a couple of times.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheirJustDesserts #NetGalley

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second serving of this new middle grade mystery series find two friends- one a baker turned reality television host and the other a journalist turned baking contestant- in another jam. While some of the situations created to keep them apart seem forced and the culprit- or culprits, to avoid any spoilers- was/were obvious too soon in the story, the personalities of the heroines were strong enough to keep me engaged. I'm hoping for at least one more installment to satisfy my craving!

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute follow-up to The Cookie Crumbles. I read this with my 8 year old, and we really enjoyed Lucy and Laila's baking and busting adventure. I thought the writing was pretty repetitive, but it worked for reminding my kid of what was going on. Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen of Lucy and Laila!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👧🏻review: I have read and enjoyed Tracy Badua’s books previously and with this one written with Alechia Dow, this fast paced adventure and cooking show themes is fun and amazing. Could be read as a standalone without any issues. I am a secret baker-wannabe, so this one hits the spot. The chasing and pondering of the story is definitely a must read for the young adventurous readers.

[Tabrez Syed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Their Just Desserts

Great book! I would say this book was worse than book 1, but I really hope there is a new book following Sunderland adventures.

Micah was mentioned in the beginning but wasn’t mentioned otherwise, I feel like it was a sort of shoo-in…

There was one major question I had: What happened to Sophie?

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book with Lucy & Laila as much as I did the first one. As always, tons of fun baking references (makes me want a scone!) and the perfect balance of humor, heart, friendship, and mystery-solving. I'd love to read more stories with this fabulous middle-grade duo!

[Haillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars

This book was cute. I really enjoyed it and loved the friendship and how Lucy and Laila worked through their problems throughout.

This book also really made me want to bake a cake.

[Daniel Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read and sequel

It was a fun follow up to characters we loved from The Cookie Crumbles. This one was a bit more predictable, but we enjoyed reading it since we’re fans of the Kids British Bake-off.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun palette cleanser! I enjoy the balance between the baking, mystery solving, and narrative about growing up and learning about yourself in the process.

[✨ Brianna Raquel ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as good as the first book but it was okay

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this book series becomes a trilogy.

[Marissa Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured (wink wink) this MG sequel from Dow and Badua that contains so much heart and friendship. If you love Jr. Bake Off and Hallmark Holiday whodunits, you will love this.

[mreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rep: Black and fat cis girl MC (Laila); Filipino American cis girl MC (Lucy); Taiwanese Singaporean cis boy SC (Raphael); Black cis woman SC (Aunt Mabel); Latina and fat cis woman SC (Kiki); brown cis man SC (Bruce); Black and fat cis boy SC (Charlie); Japanese American and queer (sapphic) cis girl SC (Maeve); Korean American cis boy SC (Micah); white and queer (sapphic) cis girl SC (Philippa); Jaden and Charlie have two dads; BIPOC background characters